Recap: PSG held by defiant Nantes (1-1)

Les Canaris came to the Parc des Princes to claim a point from the league leaders.

A strike from Matthis Abline was enough for FC Nantes to take a surprise point from league leaders Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes on Saturday evening.

Luis Enrique's side returned to Ligue 1 action after a frustrating loss to Bayern Munich in the week, hoping to secure their sixth win on the bounce and keep up their pace at the top of the table. Les Parisiens made a quickfire start to the game with Achraf Hakimi finding the net only after a couple of minutes. The Moroccan international latched onto Gonçalo Ramos' flick after a driven cross by Nuno Mendes and finished into the bottom-right corner (2').

PSG almost doubled their lead when Barcola provided a deadly ball into the box, missed by everyone but Vitinha, and the Portuguese midfielder weaved through several defenders but couldn't provide the killer finish, whilst Joao Neves blasted the follow-up shot over the bar. Neves was close again, striking the post minutes later.

Despite being clearly dominated in the first half, Nantes would manage to carve out a half chance, with Johann Lepenant providing a low cross which Matthis Abline was unable to flick goalwards. Les Canaris would go one better just before the 40-minute mark, as Abline weaved Pacho inside-out before unleashing a low strike past Donnarumma to level the score (37'). Les Parisiens would then almost find their second goal just before half-time, with Nuno Mendes' strike stinging the palms of Patrik Carlgren, before Neves' strike on the rebound fizzed wide of the post.

Nantes stay resolute at the Parc

Both sides then came out with intent in the second half as the clash started to open up. Carlgren had to intervene to collect the ball from an oncoming Bradley Barcola, before Nantes went up the other side and threatened with another foray into the box - yet Ruiz was at hand to carefully steer the ball away. Les Canaris enjoyed pouncing on the counter-attack, using the speed of Moses Simon as an outlet ball with Lepenant on the left side.

Enrique would roll the changes, as Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué would enter the field of play for Bradley Barcola and Kang-In Lee. Nantes held out well, even if PSG held the ball for large periods of the second half. Entering into injury-time, Les Parisiens almost found the winner, but Ruiz couldn't combine with Dembélé well and the Frenchman skied his attempt on goal. 

Nantes held on for a point which has stopped a losing run of four games on the bounce, but keeping their spot in the relegation playoffs. 

MATCH REACTION:

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique: “We totally dominated the match against Nantes, who defended very well. That goal was missing. That's the objective, to insist, to insist... We missed more chances in the second half. The championship is difficult, as it is in the Champions League."

Nantes manager Antoine Kombouaré: "We cracked against Le Havre, but we were able to keep our heads above water and resist. This goal gives us hope. We expected to be outplayed. All week we've been working on the frustration of never having the ball, running and defending. It's finally paying off. It's the little point of revolt and hope. It's a point that counts in the situation we find ourselves in."

THE STAT: A Posession Record broken

PSG dominated but failed to score more than one goal against Nantes. Luis Ernique's side ended the match with 84.1% possession, a record for a Ligue 1 match since the 2006/2007 season.

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